by Georgie Henderson

Created on: May 21, 2010

Laminate flooring is a beautiful addition to any room. The installation process is really simple. There are two ways to install laminate flooring. The first way is glue less laminate flooring. The tiles just click and then lock together. The second way is glued laminate flooring. Some laminate flooring come with the adhesive already applied.

You will need the following tools and materials ready and available before you begin the installation process. You will need a level, broom, hammer, adhesive remover, crow bar, rubber mallet, spacers, tape measure, tongue and groove adhesive, tapping block, utility knife, chalk line, carpenter’s square, utility towels, safety goggles, and electric or hand saw with carbide tipped blade.

Before you begin the installation you will need to prepare your floor. The first thing you will need to know is that laminate flooring may be installed on plyboard, plywood and OSB board, and concrete subfloors and subfloors on any grade-level. You will want to check with the manufacturer before installing the laminate flooring over any heating systems. All floors should be level and structurally sound. You will want to be sure to remove any damaged flooring, carpeting or padding. In the case of finding asbestos do not remove any of the existing flooring. Remember to follow all federal, local and state laws when handling or disposing of asbestos. You are also going to want to make sure to perform moisture test by following the manufacturer’s recommendations.

The laminate should be allowed to acclimate to the environment where it is to be installed. The manufacturer will have their recommendations on the proper temperatures usually 65 and 85 F with humidity between 30%-90%. Most laminate flooring will need to acclimate for 48-96 hours. You will also want to make sure that your subfloor is free of dips, valleys or imperfections. Make sure that the floor is clean and sanded down. Most laminate will come with pre-attached underlayments such as standard foam or cork. Remember to remove all molding and doors. Always use the proper safety equipment and follow all the manufacturer’s recommendations for safety.

Once you have prepared the floor for the laminate installation you will want to install the underlayment first then the first row of the laminate flooring. Next you will install the main flooring and will be finishing up by installing the last row at the end. The first and last rows will most likely need to be measured and cut. The process is the same and will need to be repeated for laying the laminate flooring down. For non glued laminate you will simply click and lock the tiles in place, positioning them on the floor until the main part of the floor is done and you are left with just the last row. For the glued laminate you will need to add the adhesive if the manufacturer has not done so. You will need to add the adhesive to the tongue and groove sections and then lock them together. Simply repeat the process until you have completed the laminate floor installation in all desired rooms of the house.

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